AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL (Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.)

H8035

2026 -- H 8035
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LC005468
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

Introduced By:
Representatives Santucci, Chippendale, Nardone, Newberry, Costantino,
Place, Roberts, and Hopkins

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 45 of the General Laws entitled "TOWNS AND CITIES" is hereby
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amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 71
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PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL
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45-71-1. Property tax increase prohibited.
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(a) Any city or town that adopts an ordinance limiting the right of a property owner,
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property manager, or landlord to increase rent prices on a rental unit shall be prohibited from
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increasing property tax rates or reassessing property values on affected rental units for as long as
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the ordinance limiting rental increases remains in effect.
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(b) The prohibition against increasing property tax rates or reassessing property values
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established in this section shall remain in effect only in taxable years in which a city or town
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maintains an adopted ordinance limiting the right of a property owner, property manager, or
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landlord to increase rent prices on a rental unit.
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(c) For the purpose of this section “rental unit” means any part of a housing accommodation
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rented or offered for rent for residential occupancy, including apartments, rooms, condominiums,
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single-family homes, or manufactured homes.

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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL
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This act would prohibit cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising
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property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005468
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LC005468 - Page 3 of 3